PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the utility of adding computed tomographic (CT) liver windows to conventional soft-tissue windows for the detection of hepatic disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One of four radiologists experienced in abdominal imaging interpreted 1,175 consecutive abdominal CT scans from one institution. Hepatic images were first interpreted by using standard soft-tissue windows. The number of lesions and confidence in lesion detection were recorded. The liver-window images were then interpreted in conjunction with the soft-tissue-window images, and the number of lesions and confidence in detection were recorded again. The proportion of patients in whom additional lesions were found by using liver windows was determined. RESULTS: On soft-tissue-window and liver-window scans interpreted together, 869 (74%) patients had no hepatic lesions. Thirty-six (3.1%) patients had new lesions seen with the addition of liver windows. Twelve of these 36 patients had no lesions seen on soft-tissue-window scans. Twenty-six of the 36 patients with additional lesions seen had a history of neoplasm. There was a change in diagnosis in 1.7% of the patients with the addition of liver windows and a change in recommendation for follow-up in 0.85%. CONCLUSION: Routine interpretation of liver-window scans for all abdominal CT scans has limited added utility in detecting hepatic disease.
PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the utility of adding computed tomographic (CT) liver windows to conventional soft-tissue windows for the detection of hepatic disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One of four radiologists experienced in abdominal imaging interpreted 1,175 consecutive abdominal CT scans from one institution. Hepatic images were first interpreted by using standard soft-tissue windows. The number of lesions and confidence in lesion detection were recorded. The liver-window images were then interpreted in conjunction with the soft-tissue-window images, and the number of lesions and confidence in detection were recorded again. The proportion of patients in whom additional lesions were found by using liver windows was determined. RESULTS: On soft-tissue-window and liver-window scans interpreted together, 869 (74%) patients had no hepatic lesions. Thirty-six (3.1%) patients had new lesions seen with the addition of liver windows. Twelve of these 36 patients had no lesions seen on soft-tissue-window scans. Twenty-six of the 36 patients with additional lesions seen had a history of neoplasm. There was a change in diagnosis in 1.7% of the patients with the addition of liver windows and a change in recommendation for follow-up in 0.85%. CONCLUSION: Routine interpretation of liver-window scans for all abdominal CT scans has limited added utility in detecting hepatic disease.
Authors: Kai Joachim Borm; Markus Oechsner; Johannes Berndt; Stephanie Elisabeth Combs; Michael Molls; Marciana Nona Duma Journal: Strahlenther Onkol Date: 2015-06-19 Impact factor: 3.621
Authors: Woo Hyeon Lim; Young Hun Choi; Ji Eun Park; Yeon Jin Cho; Seunghyun Lee; Jung Eun Cheon; Woo Sun Kim; In One Kim; Jong Hyo Kim Journal: Korean J Radiol Date: 2019-09 Impact factor: 3.500
Authors: Mee Jin Park; So Yeon Kim; Sang Min Yoon; Jong Hoon Kim; Seong Ho Park; Seung Soo Lee; Yedaun Lee; Moon-Gyu Lee Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-02-28 Impact factor: 3.240